No more bus gates and LEZ
Cllr Richard Brooks has been engaged in an intense battle within Aberdeen City Council to make sure your voices are heard. This is ably illustrated by his leading role in opposing the Aberdeen City Centre bus gate saga.
BBC and STV news together with national newspapers, radio and multimedia platforms have covered Richard’s fight against the detrimental and chaotic SNP/ LibDem decisions. He is raising the volume of the thousands of Aberdeen people and business communities that are affected by this bizarre decision.
Richard said: “The SNP/LibDem Council administration have become totally out-of-touch on topics such as libraries, swimming pools, the football stadium at Pittodrie, LEZ, and now Bus Gates. People across Kincorth, Nigg and Cove have told me on their doorsteps that they are afraid to travel into Aberdeen for fear of being ensnared by either the LEZ or bus gate layouts.”
The Council has totally ignored the 12,000 people supporting the petition against the current arrangement, and the further 10,000 comments received direct.
Richard believes that the original experimental order (ETRO (2023) bus gate trial) was not executed lawfully and thus should be considered null and void. This is a drum he continues to beat on your behalf, which has already resulted in a partial U-turn in the decision-making process.
As Aberdeen City Conservative Group Leader, Richard and his group have consistently championed the fight against the city-centre bus gates, working with and alongside the business community.
Richard continues to be the loudest voice in Aberdeen City Council on this, emphatically standing up for the good of Aberdeen.
Our energy sector – oil and gas
Richard continues to speak up for the more than 90,000 local jobs at risk in the North Sea energy sector.
As a company representative in OEUK’s Hazard Management and Decommissioning Forums, he continues to be part of the fight for a “Just Transition”. The SNP Government’s Energy Strategy and its presumption against oil and gas exploration fails to consider our need for energy security and the fact we are still importing petroleum products.
Richard said: “Scotland should be a full partner in the North Sea Transition Deal to protect jobs and reduce emissions; It’s a ‘must’ for the future of my O&G colleagues and the whole North East.”
Outside of politics: Richard recognised as Aberdeen’s Anti-Poverty Champion
During the last 6 months Richard was selected as a ‘local hero’ for his work alleviating poverty and deprivation in Aberdeen over more than two decades. He was commended nationally by representatives within Holyrood and introduced to Their Majesties the King and Queen as the co-founder of Scotland’s very first Foodbank, ‘TLC’.
His work continues as a member of the Anti-poverty and Inequality Committee. He continues to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves and last year he saw £1m released from Aberdeen City Council to help those suffering from deprivation.
Richard aims to see people given a hand-up not just a hand-out. Over more than two decades Richard has helped more than 100,000 people in the North East. He is passionate about seeing the need for food banks removed.
Richard said: “Something that should only ever be used by those who find themselves in crisis, has become a normalised way of life for some. Given the opportunity, I believe I can change this in our area and in our city.”
Meeting with Police Scotland to support local business in Cove
Richard met with Police Scotland over a number of issues in the Kincorth, Nigg and Cove areas including:
• Concerns over small crowds of teenagers around local shops in the Cove area
• Slowing cars down on Langdykes Road
• Slowing cars down on Leggart Terrace
• Vandalism at the Gramps (Kincorth Reserve)
Whilst the Police cannot be everywhere all at once, they have appreciated being made aware of the community concerns, which has led to action being taken across a range of issues.